NEW! Immunization Managers Celebrate 2nd Anniversary of Historic COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign
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On Wednesday, December 14, the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and its 64 immunization program manager members celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the historic COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
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The first COVID-19 vaccine (outside of a clinical trial) was administered to a nurse in New York City on December 14, 2020. Since that historic moment, public health has collaborated with clinicians, pharmacists, community groups, and other private sector partners in every community to administer over 655 million doses of vaccine. To date, over 80 percent of the population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.
NEW! New Initiative to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination among Older Adults in Long-term Care Settings
As we enter the winter months with increasing cases of respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, we need your help to encourage older adults to receive the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 boosters, especially those living in long-term care settings (LTC). The data tell us why.
The CDC is creating COVID-19 vaccine sub-provider agreements to allow LTC facilities that are not directly enrolled as providers in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program to access COVID-19 vaccine doses through enrolled pharmacy providers for direct administration by the LTC facilities to their residents and staff. See Long Term Care Facilities Enrolling in CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program | CDC for more information.
FDA has now authorized Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age
Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have not yet received the third dose of the three-dose primary series with the monovalent Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine will now receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, bivalent as the third dose of the primary series.
The monovalent Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine is no longer authorized for use as the third dose of the three-dose primary series in children 6 months through 4 years of age. The monovalent Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine remains authorized for administration as the first two doses of the three-dose primary series in individuals 6 months through 4 years of age, as a two-dose primary series for individuals 5 years of age and older, and as a third primary series dose for individuals 5 years of age and older who have been determined to have certain kinds of immunocompromise.
Updated HCP Fact Sheet: Pfizer HCP FS 6m-4y Maroon 12082022 (fda.gov).
Recipients and Caregiver: Pfizer Recipient FS 6m-4y Maroon 12082022 (fda.gov).
Moderna Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization for Omicron-Targeting Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccine in Children 6 Months Through 5 Years of Age
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On December 8, 2022 Moderna received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age. Patients ages 6 month to 5 years are now able to receive a single dose of 10 mcg booster following a completed primary series of Moderna’s monovalent vaccine.
Chief Executive Officer of Moderna, Stephanie Bancel said,” With the FDA's decision, children and adolescents of all age groups in the U.S. will now be eligible for our updated bivalent COVID-19 booster, providing families with an important protective tool as we continue through the winter months.
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Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet visit here.
Recipient and Caregiver EUA visit here.
Moderna Press Release visit here.
Monovalent Vaccine Safety Net – A Role for Public Health Agencies
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Except for Novavax monovalent vaccine, bivalent mRNA vaccines are the only COVID-19 boosters authorized for all age groups. Monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized by FDA or recommended by CDC to be used as boosters for any age group.
The demand for mRNA monovalent vaccines will decrease over time as large percentages of the population receive their primary series. Understandably, fewer pharmacies with limited storage capabilities will carry a vaccine that the public no longer demands. However, availability of monovalent vaccines will still be critical to those who have not received their primary series. Jurisdictions should take steps to ensure that there is a “safety net” of monovalent vaccine supply available in their communities and consider strategic placement in local public health agencies or select providers.
We encourage jurisdictions to consider maintaining a supply of the monovalent COVID-19 vaccines where it might best serve their communities. Updating monovalent availability on VACCINES.GOV will be increasingly important.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Trainings
Pfizer hosts biweekly training webinars about the recently authorized and recommended Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine. Attendee links can be found on the Pfizer website: https://www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/en-us/medical-updates.
Moderna Shelf-Life Extension (SLE)
 Moderna has verified the new expiry dates above and updated the Moderna Vial Expiration Checker: https://modernacovid19global.com/vial-lookup?#vialLookUpTool.
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